Workflow Example 2


Here is the original color photo. For this photo I want to show you how you can use two different conversion methods on the same photo.. I know from past experience that the channel mixer with heavy emphasis on the red channel works great on cloudy skies. I also know that trees require the hue/saturation method. So I'll use both.

Steps in Photoshop:

    First I'm going to convert the sky using the channel mixer method. I'll select the sky and save the selection because I'll need it again when I convert the ground.

  1. Select the sky using the Magic Wand tool.
  2. Save the selection as the Alpha channel.

    From the menus choose: Select > Save Selection

  3. In the Save Selection dialog box leave the Name field blank and click OK.
  4. With sky selected add a Channel Mixer layer.
  5. Set red channel to 125%, check monochrome, and set constant to -25%.

    6. The image now looks like this:

    Notice how when the channel mixer layer was created it also created the layer mask. This means that the channel mixer layer applies only to the selected part of the image, ie. the sky.

    Now I'll convert the ground using the hue/saturation method. Since I'm only going to apply it to the ground I'll need to select it before adding the hue/saturation layers. I do this by reloading the saved selection.

  6. Reload the previous selection.

    From the menus choose: Select > Load Selection

  7. From the Channel drop-down select "Alpha 1". Check "Invert". This will invert the selection so that the ground will be selected.
  8. With the ground selected add a Hue/Saturation layer.
  9. Duplicate the Hue/Saturation layer.
  10. In the second Hue/Saturation layer set the saturation to -100%
  11. Select the first Hue/Saturation layer and set the blend mode to Color
  12. Adjust the hue in the first Hue/Saturation layer

    13. This is what the image looks like now.

    I want to lighten the midtones to open up the shadow area near the base of the hill. I want to go lighter than I normally would because I'll be darkening the shadows later with an S-curve.

  13. Add levels layer. Slide the midtone to the left.

    14. Next I'll add toning the image. I'll use the Warm Midtones action.

  14. Add a Curves layer
  15. Use Warm Midtones curve

    16. Now I'll add the s-curve

  16. Add a Curves layer
  17. Use S-Curve

    18. The S-curve has increased the contrast of the image. However, the building looks a little faded. I'll fix that by going back to the Levels layer and adjusting the mask, "painting in" the shadows.

  18. Select the Levels layer
  19. Click on the layer mask
  20. Using the brush tool paint in the building

    21. This is the final image